Christmas Cookie Magic: Chewy M&M Cookies Bursting with Holiday Cheer

Name: M&M Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 89 min
Ingredients: 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour (280 grams); 1 teaspoon baking soda (6 grams); 1½ teaspoons cornstarch (5 grams); ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter (170 grams, melted (1½ sticks)); ¾ cup light brown sugar (160 grams); ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams); 2 large eggs (100 grams, room temperature); 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (8 grams); ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (85 grams); 10 tablespoons red and green M&M's (106 grams, divided (½ cup + 2 tablespoons for topping))

These homemade M&M Christmas Cookies are filled with festive green and red candies, and chocolate chips for an extra kick. These cookies come out of the oven deliciously soft and pillowy, and they’re so easy to make!

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Tender. Adding cornstarch to the dough is my secret for soft, thick cookies that don’t spread.
Festive. Red and green candies make these M&M cookies fun for the holidays.
Flavorful. Butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract add so much flavor to these cookies.

Variations on Christmas M&M Cookies

You can make these Christmas cookies even more festive by swapping out the chocolate chips for peppermint or Andes mint chocolate chips! You could also fold in some red and green sprinkles to really drive the holiday theme home.

cookies filled with M&Ms and chocolate chips, arranged on parchment paper.

How to Store

Store leftover M&M Christmas cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator.

How to Freeze

Freeze Christmas M&M cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before enjoying.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these candy-filled Christmas cookies with a glass of whole or oat milk for Santa Claus! Or enjoy them dipped in a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate. They also make great festive ice cream sandwiches with my favorite red velvet ice cream between them. Yum!

What kind of M&M’s should I use?

I like to use the Christmas M&M’s when they are available since it saves me from having to sort the colors. But you can really use any of the colors.

What does cornstarch do in cookies?

Cornstarch helps to make the cookies soft and tender. It also helps the cookies to spread less by thickening up the dough!

Why do I need to chill cookie dough?

Chilling cookie dough before baking helps prevent the dough from spreading in the oven.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

These cookies don’t take long to bake, just 12-14 minutes, so keep your eye on them. Bake them just until the edges of the cookies start to set and are a little firmer to the touch. The edges should brown just ever so slightly. The cookies will continue to bake once they are removed from the oven and will harden as they cool.

A Christmas M&M cookie leaned up against a jar of milk, with M&Ms and chocolate chips scattered around it.

How to Make M&M Christmas Cookies Step by Step

Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine 2⅓ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt with a whisk. Set aside.

A bowl of flour, eggs, and other ingredients on a marble countertop.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat ¾ cup of room temperature unsalted butter, ¾ cup of light brown sugar, and ½ cup of granulated sugar.

A bowl of peanut butter cookie dough on a marble table.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add 2 large room temperature eggs and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix until combined.

A bowl of batter with ingredients on a marble table.

Make the Dough: Add the dry mixture, and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.

A bowl of cookie dough with a wooden spoon next to it.

Chill the Dough: Fold in ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of red and green M&M’s. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading.

A bowl of cookie dough with chocolate chips and m&m's.

Roll into Balls: Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to measure 3 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a smooth ball. Place 6 on each baking sheet.

A baking sheet with cookies and candy on it.

Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. While the cookies are still warm, press in the remaining 2 tablespoons of M&M’s in (just for looks). Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.